On Wednesday 3 October 2012, at the Novotel Manly Pacific Hotel, Sydney, the Administrator of the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia, Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO, as guest of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists Co-Convenors, Dr Josey Anderson and Dr Michael Bowden, officially opened the 2012 Faculty of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Conference.

The Governor-General and Mr Michael Bryce visited the world’s largest water village, Kampong Ayer, in the city of Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei.

The village has existed since the 10th Century and currently has a population of 30,000.

During the visit, the Governor-General and Mr Bryce met the Chief of Tamoi Tengah Village, Pengarah Haji Mokti bin Md Salleh, his family members and religious figures.

The Governor-General met with members of the Australian community living in Brunei on the first day of a State Visit to the country.

Speaking to guests at Edinburgh Palace, Ms Bryce commended their role in representing Australia and fostering people-to-people links between both nations.

There are approximately 800 Australians working in Brunei.

During her State Visit to Brunei, the Governor-General joined representatives of Bruneian women’s associations for a roundtable meeting at the Empire Hotel in Jerudong.

Convened by the Deputy Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Datin Adina, the roundtable touched on issue including domestic violence, achieving a work-life balance and promoting the education of women.

During the discussions, Mr Michael Bryce was invited to visit Darul Ifta and viewed His Majesty personal collection of Islamic art, including Korans and historical manuscripts, at the State Mufti’s Office.

The Governor-General and Mr Michael Bryce were ceremonially welcomed to Brunei Darussalam by His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah and Her Majesty Raja Isteri Saleha at Istana Nurul Iman Palace.

The Australian and Bruneian National Anthems were played before the Governor-General inspected the Royal Guard of Honour with His Majesty.

Following the ceremony, Ms Bryce and Mr Bryce were introduced to members of the Royal family, the Cabinet, Legislative Council Members, Heads of Mission and senior Bruneian officials.

On Tuesday 2 October 2012, following the departure of the Governor-General, Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO on a State Visit to Brunei Darussalam, the proclamation assuming the Administration of the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia was signed by the Governor of New South Wales, Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO.

In the evening, the Governor-General and Mr Michael Bryce AM AE, attended a welcome ceremony at Brunei International Airport.

The Governor-General and Mr Michael Bryce began a three-day State Visit to Brunei Darussalam at the invitation of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah.

Ms Bryce and Mr Bryce arrived at Brunei International Airport and were welcomed by the Minister of Communications, Pehin Dato Abdullah, and other senior Bruneian officials before being escorted through a Guard of Honour.

The State Visit to Brunei is the first to be made by an Australian Governor-General since Brunei’s independence since 1984.

On Monday 1 October 2012, at Brisbane International Airport, the Governor-General, Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO, was represented at the departure from Australia of the President of the Republic of Nauru, His Excellency the Honourable Sprent Dabwido MP, by Commander Lachlan King ADC RAN, Honorary Aide-de-Camp.

On Sunday 30 September 2012, at Brisbane International Airport, the Governor-General, Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO, was represented at the arrival in Australia of the President of the Republic of Nauru, His Excellency the Honourable Sprent Dabwido MP, by Group Captain Brian Duddington AM ADC, Honorary Aide-de-Camp.

On Friday 28 September 2012, at Government House, Canberra, the Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO and Mr Michael Bryce AM AE, hosted a morning tea for Legacy widows.

Afterwards, at the National Portrait Gallery, as guests of the Chair, Dr Nugent Helen AO, the Governor-General and Mr Bryce attended a reception at which the Governor-General officially unveiled the portrait ‘The Coronation Theatre, Westminster Abbey: A Portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’ by Mr Ralph Heimans.